lichties boss is up for the challenge

Fraser McGowan

Arbroath boss Allan Moore insists all the staff and players are fired up for tomorrow’s SPFL League Two curtain-raiser at Berwick Rangers.

While the Lichties’ manager was disappointed after two early cup exits to Alloa and Hamilton in recent weeks, he was encouraged by Saturday’s performance in the 2-1 defeat at Premiership side Accies and believes his men will take heart from that gutsy showing.

Moore said: “We battled away on Saturday and when you face teams from the top league you try to hang in for as long as possible.

“We defended a lot better and changed the shape of the team, which helped as well.

“With a wee bit of luck we might have taken it to extra-time - Scott McBride went close and Kevin Buchan scored a good goal at the end - so we can take positives from the game.

“I told the players they have scored in every game, apart from the Aberdeen friendly, and if we can tighten up at the back we will cause other sides problems with the strikers we have.

“Losing the two cup games obviously is tough to take but Berwick on Saturday will give me a better indicator of where we are.

“Johnny Lindsay looks like he will be out for a few weeks and Craig Johnstone isn’t available for the first two games so that gives us a wee problem on the left-hand side of the team, but we will deal with that.”

Moore and assistant Todd Lumsden are relishing the chance to take on the likes of Clyde, Annan and East Fife, three teams many see as promotion favourites.

He added: “We are not targeting any other teams, although those three clubs will be up there.

“We will just look after ourselves. It’s an exciting time for myself, Todd and the players. We know what it takes to get out of the lower leagues, we know what we have to do as a team and we will be ready for the challenges ahead.”

Meanwhile, Jim Butter has decided to leave Arbroath as goalkeeping coach. The club would like to thank him for his efforts since joining last season.

Mike Cargill has now stepped into the role and rejoins the coaching set up after being previously involved during the Third Division title-winning season.